Irish Setter

Thinking about purchasing an Irish Setter? Then read our breed profile including
a brief description, information on height, weight, color, coat, temperament, grooming,
activity and history. Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or
more years so please educate yourself on the Irish Setter breed, including all stages
of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new
puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a
local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do
the grooming myself on a regular basis. Fundamental requirements for a being a good
Irish Setter owner;

properly feed your new dog,

house them comfortably

train them in basic obedience.

Before making a purchase talk to the breeder, ask them many questions about their
dogs and the breed in general. A good breeder will teach you about the Irish Setter
and they will have many questions for you about your home and life style and if
this breed is suited for you and your family.

Questions you may want to ask an Irish Setter Breeder:

When were your Irish Setters born? When will they be allowed to leave?

Have your puppies received their first shots? being wormed? had a puppy check
up with your veterinarian?

What type of socialization have the puppies received? with children? with
other pets? in the home?

Have you seen genetic problems in previous litters? What are your health guarantees?

Are there any health certifications on the sire or dam?

What is the temperament of the puppies, of the mother? shy? boisterous? aggressive?
skittish?

If you become unable to care for your new Irish Setter, will the breeder help
you find a new home?

It is recommended that you sign a contract with the breeder so that there will
be no misunderstandings on the arrangements made. Then bring home your new Irish
Setter and enjoy as "there is no greater love then a dog's devotion."

Irish Setter
Profile

The Irish Setter is an aristocratic bird dog who has a rich, lustrous red
coat and an expressive face. They are a friendly and amusing breed who enjoy
children and make good pets, gundogs or watchdogs. They enjoy human companionship
and may be boisterous at times. They have even been known to run up to other
dogs just to play with them. They highly enjoy running circles around people
or dogs in an attempt to play. Irish Setters are slow to mature, making them
ideal candidates for the person who loves the puppy mentality. Sometimes known
as "Big Red or the Red Setter" they have boundless energy and are full of high
spirits. They love to exercise and exert themselves with anything, which requires
careful training by the owner so that their busy minds do not turn to more destructive
behaviors if they are bored. Irish Setters are a little lighter and speedier
than the other setters. They are not as heavy as their cousins, and are known
to be one of the most elegant looking. Irish Setters have a well muscled, thin
body with drop ears that hang low. They have long fur that is wavy and feathered,
and long limbs and tail to complete. Their brilliant red color attracts the
eyes of judges and pet lovers alike. The Irish Setter is the perfect breed for
a fun-loving, active family.

Other Names: Red Setter, Modder rhu (Red
Dog in Gaelic), Red Spaniel

Type: Gun Dog

Height: 25 - 27 inches.Weight: 60 - 70 lbs.

Colors: Mahogany or rich chestnut red
with no trace of black. They may also have white markings on the head, chest,
throat, or sometimes the toes. A star on the forehead or narrow streak or blaze
on the nose or face is permissible.Coat:Short and fine on head, fronts of
legs and tips of ears; moderately long, free and as straight as possible on
rest of the body; they have a good feathering on the chest and backs of legs,
as well as tail. Their fur is very silky in appearance and to the touch.

Temperament: Irish Setters are active,
affectionate and exuberant. They love to play, and will actively seek out playmates,
often making circles around them. They get along well with other animals, especially
horses, making them unable to guard effectively. They get along very well with
children, despite their excited behavior. They love to be around their owners,
and need discipline with a sensitive hand. They are sensitive to their owners,
and need not be harshly punished. Irish Setters are very outgoing, friendly,
spirited and lively throughout their adulthood. They mature slowly, making them
have the demeanor of a puppy most of their lives.With Children: Yes. Irish Setters are friendly
and patient with children.With Pets: Yes. If they are given socialization
to other animals when they are young, they get along with them great. Irish
Setters have a special affinity to horses.Special Skills: Field sports dog and family
pet.

Watch-dog: High. They are very alert,
and very good gundogs.Guard-dog: Very Low. Irish Setters are much
too friendly to defend anyone.

Irish Setter Care and Exercise: Daily
combing and brushing is required to keep the Irish Setters coat in excellent
silky condition. Pay special attention during shedding. Irish Setters need a
large amount of exercise. Lack of exercise can make them restless and difficult
to train. If they become too bored, they can turn to destructive behavior to
entertain themselves, so they should be walked and played with daily.Training: Irish Setters have a mind of their
own but are intelligent to understand what is expected of them. Use a consistent,
loving approach when handling. Teach a puppy to come when they are young. But
do not use harsh training, as they are very a sensitive breed.Learning Rate: High. Obedience – High. Problem
Solving – High.

Activity:Very High. Irish Setters are
equipped with boundless energy.Special Needs: Attention, exercise, fenced
yard, grooming, and a leash.Living Environment: A home with a fenced
yard is mandatory. Owners of an Irish Setter should be patient and enjoy an
athletic breed. The best owner for this breed would be an active family living
in a rural or suburban environment.

Irish Setter Health Issues: Skin problems,
epilepsy, hip dysplasia and bloat. Bloat is a health issue to most dogs, being
the second largest killer of dogs other than cancer, but Irish Setters can be
particularly susceptible to it because of their deep chests. Other health concerns
include eye problems, hypothyroidism, and osteosarcoma.

Life Span:12 - 14 years.Litter Size: 7 - 8 puppies.

Country of Origin: IrelandIrish Setter History: Developed by crossing
Irish Water Spaniels, other Spaniels, Setters (Gordon) and pointers (including
the Spanish Pointer, which is unknown outside of Spain), they originally had
a red and white coat. During the 19th century a chestnut red coat was introduced
and is now the only accept color by American standards. Back then, however,
the two both came in the same litter. The red and white, as well as the solid
red colors on this breed have existed in Ireland thought to be as far back as
the 1700s. Although the Irish claim this breed to never have mixed with pointer
blood, they do in fact resemble pointers more than some of the other Setters.
As Bede Maxwell, author of The Truth About Sporting Dogs, says, “Irishophiles
may prefer to believe their Setter sprang full-formed from among the shamrocks,
but history yields no proof of it.” Edward Laverack, a man who spent his lifetime
trying to perfect the English Pointer, is most credited with the development
of the Irish Setter. For much of the 18th and 19th centuries,
the breed flourished as both solid red and red and white. Only until the breed
began to prosper in dog shows in Victorian England did the solid red color become
more popular and begin to dwindle the population of the red and whites. In 1882
the Irish Red Setter Club was formed, and thus continued the streak of red.
Today the red and whites are considered a different breed than the solid reds,
although they are entirely similar except for the color of coat. The breed proved
itself a worthy gundog to the English, and is still used today for that purpose.
Mostly, though, this breed has been moving into the position of family pet rather
than hunting dog. Today the Irish Setter is widely used as a friend of the family,
as well as in dog shows around the world.